Options for online
Peripherals company Datel offers its five-player DS wi-fi MAX
Just as you can choose to partake of Mr Heinz’s special baked beans or Asda’s not-so-special beanz, so choice comes to the process of getting your DS online if you don’t have the luxury of a home wireless network.
Nintendo has already released its official wi-fi USB dongle, which lets you connect your DS to the Internet through any Windows XP broadband-enabled PC, and very nice it is, too. But peripheral company Datel is happy to offer you another option - its WiFi MAX for DS.
It works in exactly the same way as Nintendo’s version, by plugging it into your broadband-enabled PC via its USB connection. But as well as the fixed aerial provided by Nintendo’s, Datel’s version also comes complete with a USB cable and stand so that if you want to you can position it in a more convenient location, even if it will make your room look more messy.
More interesting, though, is the ability of the Datel’s WiFi Max to enable up to five DS players to get online at the same time. Great when you have friends over, it's able to do this because it uses the wireless g standard, which is a faster wireless network connection than the b standard. You will need a wireless network that's compatible with this high-speed connection, mind.
The only issue is the price. Nintendo’s official dongle costs £30 in the shops (or £27 online), while Datel’s WiFi MAX for DS is £30. So unless you plan to have plenty of DS wi-fi parties or need the cable option, the question is do you prefer the taste of Mr Heinz or Asda not-so-special beanz?
